In an aqueous solution, how do acids differ from bases?

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Multiple Choice

In an aqueous solution, how do acids differ from bases?

In water, acids and bases are classified by what they produce when they dissolve. An Arrhenius acid dissociates to release hydrogen ions, which in water become hydronium ions (H3O+). An Arrhenius base releases hydroxide ions (OH−) into the solution. This is why acids are associated with increased H3O+ and bases with increased OH−, and it explains why acids lower the pH while bases raise it or neutralize acids. The other statements conflict with this pattern: they swap the ions, claim acids form both ions, or say acids don’t ionize at all.

In water, acids and bases are classified by what they produce when they dissolve. An Arrhenius acid dissociates to release hydrogen ions, which in water become hydronium ions (H3O+). An Arrhenius base releases hydroxide ions (OH−) into the solution. This is why acids are associated with increased H3O+ and bases with increased OH−, and it explains why acids lower the pH while bases raise it or neutralize acids. The other statements conflict with this pattern: they swap the ions, claim acids form both ions, or say acids don’t ionize at all.

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